Whatever your romantic status, Valentine’s Day can feel like one of those days where we inevitably open a bottle of wine to celebrate. It can feel like the ‘done thing’ to toast to a special occasion with alcohol, and it can be hard to resist when you are trying to prioritise your health.
Despite alcohol appearing as a default this Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of ways to spend a sober night or weekend whilst strengthening your relationship with whoever you choose to spend the 14th of February with.
Going without the booze doesn’t mean you won’t have fun. Enjoy a meal out together and think of the savings on the bill by choosing non-alcoholic drink options! If you’re just having a drink, many bars and pubs offer amazing alcohol-free drinks selections so you can still meet up and celebrate your relationship together.
For those of us lucky enough to live in Cumbria, its combination of natural beauty and cultural richness offers a perfect setting for romance. To help you plan your drink-free date, we have put together some activity ideas which don’t involve alcohol, some of which are unique to the county:
Walk in the countryside
Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and take time to be in nature. Pack a picnic with your favourite food and appreciate the open spaces and tranquillity.
Get out on the water
Take a scenic boat cruise on one of the beautiful lakes. Enjoy the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere.
Visit a historic house
There are so many charming properties in the county: Hill Top (Beatrix Potter’s House), Dove Cottage (home of Wordsworth), Dalemain and Muncaster Castle. Imagine how life was back then, and explore their fascinating interior and wonderful gardens.
Go to the cinema
Watch a film at one of the region’s historic cinemas – the Alhambra in Keswick or the Roxy in Ulverston. Or enjoy modern cinematic experiences at Zeffirellis in Ambleside, the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal or Rheged in Penrith.
Cook dinner at home
Prepare a special meal together or surprise your partner with their favourite dishes. Light some candles, play soft music, and create a cozy, intimate atmosphere at home. To have some fun and try something different drinks wise, why not pair your evening in with some mocktail making?
Games Night
Play board games, card games, or video games that you both enjoy. It's a fun way to bond and share some laughs.
Stargazing
Find a quiet spot away from city lights, bring a blanket, and watch the stars together. You can also use a stargazing app to identify constellations and planets.
Why cut down on alcohol?
The NHS recommends that men and women should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week on a regular basis to keep health risks at low levels. These 14 units should be spread over 3 or more days and having several drink-free days is recommended.
However, many of us are drinking much more than these recommendations on a regular basis and consuming high levels of alcohol is something that can creep up on any of us. Making a conscious effort to cut down on and prioritise ourselves is a massive step when it comes to positively impacting our health and wellbeing.
If you are worried about your drinking and you are finding it hard to cut back, you’re not alone.
At CADAS we support anyone who feels their addiction is problematic. We don’t require people to give up alcohol altogether if that’s not what they want to do, but we do focus on the reduction of harm to themselves or others. We also support the ‘affected others’ – those people affected by or worried about someone else’s addictive behaviours.
If you need help, please check out our website www.cadas.co.uk or give us a call on our freephone helpline 0800 2 54 56 58 and we can have a chat about the support we can offer.
Comments